During this time when the Palladium family is not together at the theater, I wanted to bring us together online by featuring some of the people who make the Palladium great. This week, I’m focusing on Palladium volunteers. We asked volunteers to fill out a questionnaire. We’ll be sharing stories from all the folks who replied.
If you’re a volunteer and didn’t see the original survey please contact our house manager, Nancy Jones, and she’ll get you the questionnaire. We’d love to hear from all our wonderful volunteers.
There will be more profiles to come later this week. For now, please check out these snapshots of four of our volunteers:
EVIE TATE
Evie Tat
My name is Evie (rhymes with heavy) Tate
Where are you from?
I have lived in St. Pete for 6 years, originally from Wausau, WI where I was an usher at our historic Grand Theater. I tend to spend a good chunk of the summer in Wisconsin.
In a few words, what brought you to volunteer at the Palladium?
A Palladium volunteer told me about her pleasant experience ushering here and also spoke very highly of you, Nancy, (Nancy is our Palladium Volunteer Coordinator) so I decided to contact you. It was all so seamless. I am also a Dali Museum docent, and an usher at freeFall and American Stage.
How many years have you been volunteering at the Palladium?
I am in my 5th year here I believe.
What leisure activity do you most enjoy?
I enjoy traveling and at this time I am missing a trip to Portugal. I also like biking and of course, the beach.
Briefly, tell us what comes to mind when you think of a favorite Palladium memory or story?
My favorite memory is ushering the Opera for the first time which was really my introduction to opera. I enjoy the diverse crowd of people who appreciate our talented St Petersburg Opera. I try not to miss a performance.
DOLORES SMITH
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Connecticut.
In a few words, what brought you to volunteer at the Palladium?
At the Palladium’s very beginning, Doris Gray and I walked in on our own to volunteer our time and services.
How many years have you been volunteering at the Palladium?
Maybe 20 years? I started here as a volunteer when the Palladium was under the Stavros family.
What leisure activity do you most enjoy?
My favorite pastimes are walking and attending concerts of all sorts all over town. In addition to the Palladium, I also volunteer at St Anthony’s and the Mahaffey Theater.
Briefly, tell us what comes to mind when you think of a favorite Palladium memory or story?
One of my fondest memories is of the Tuesday afternoon organ concerts that the Palladium hosted a long time back.
What one fun thing would you like to tell us about yourself that we might not know about you?
Here are a few. When Dave Fisher was the mayor of St. Petersburg, he gave me the key to the City! I was also on a photo shoot we had at the Palladium a few years back when it was featured in a local magazine. And, back in the day, I was an avid camper.
JEANNINE MASON
Where are you from?
I’m from Burlington, Vermont.
In a few words, what brought you to volunteer at the Palladium?
I was referred to volunteer at the Palladium by a friend who said this was a nice place.
How many years have you been volunteering at the Palladium?
I started as a volunteer here early on working with the Stavros family, so probably 20 years or so.
What leisure activity do you most enjoy?
I like walking, watching movies and just generally going out and about.
DR. REBECCA LUDWIG
Dr. Rebecca Ludwig
Where are you from?
I grew up in Iowa and have been living in St. Pete for 8 years.
In a few words, what brought you to volunteer at the Palladium?
I served as Dean of the College of Health Sciences for SPC and started volunteering as one way of supporting SPC.
How many years have you been volunteering at the Palladium?
I think I started in 2013, so it’s been about 7 years.
What leisure activity do you most enjoy?
Riding my bicycle. Gary and I rode our tandem in TRAM – The Ride Across Minnesota, some years ago. We also had a fabulous bike and barge experience in the Netherlands last year.
Briefly, tell us what comes to mind when you think of a favorite Palladium memory or story?
Listening to the other volunteers is always entertaining; it runs from super smart, really funny, and just plain crazy. The volunteers are a great group of people who always brighten my day. I did have an eye-popping encounter at the Palladium with Betty Fox.
What one fun thing would you like to tell us about yourself that we might not know about you?
I was a competition-level free weight-lifter 30 years ago. Now I’m a weakling but I could ride my bike all day!
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